Majahua

La Majahua is a small fishing village just past Troncones on Guerrero's Costa Grande, in the municipality of La Unión de Isidoro Montes de Oca. It sits about half an hour's drive northwest of Zihuatanejo at the far end of one continuous stretch of shore: the roughly 5 km Troncones beach runs north to Troncones Point, where Manzanillo Bay begins, and beyond that bay and Majahua point comes the village's own beach.

A single dirt road is the only way in and out, which keeps La Majahua noticeably quieter than Troncones. Playa Majahua is long, flat and lined with palms, one of the best beaches around for a walk in the early morning or late afternoon. Simple palapa restaurants face the sand; Doña Marta's, for one, has thatched shelters for shade and hammocks to linger in after lunch. Holiday rentals and a new block of condos on the point have gone up in recent years, but the village itself is still tiny.

Near the beach are two sea caves, one called Troncones and the other Majahua, and a waterfall known as Cascadas Artesianas. For surfers the benchmark wave is Troncones Point, a consistent left over rock and some coral that needs a south swell and suits confident surfers only; the snorkelling right off the point is the best in the area. From June to October southern swells can push waves at the Point and at El Rancho up to 7.6 metres, and from May to September the sea can be rough going for ordinary swimmers. Watch for rip currents and keep a close eye on children in the water. May is burning season on the hill farms inland, and the smoke sometimes drifts down to the coast.

There is no bank in the village and the ATM in Troncones often runs dry, so bring pesos from the airport or from Ixtapa; the nearest proper supermarket is about 40 minutes away.